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11 Jul 2024
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Three years ago, on July 11th, 2021, the first episode of HBO's beloved series "White Lotus" premiered, instantly capturing audiences' attention. Happy birthday, White Lotus! Today, we explore why a show about wealthy people in a hotel became immensely popular.
Kind Reminder
"The White Lotus," created by Mike White, is an HBO anthology series that explores the lives of guests and employees at a luxury resort. Each season is set in a different exotic location with a new cast.
The first season, set in Hawaii, follows a newlywed couple, a dysfunctional family, and a grieving single woman, revealing hidden tensions and social power imbalances.
The second season, set in Sicily, Italy, continues to delve into themes of wealth, privilege, and personal turmoil with a fresh ensemble of characters.
Production
As mentioned above, The White Lotus was written, directed, and produced by Mike White, who is known for his sharp satirical writing and keen observations of human behaviour.
The first season of the series was produced under challenging conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the team's efficiency and creativity. It was filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.
The second season moved to a luxurious resort in Sicily, Italy. If you would like to have a The White Lotus vacay yourself — have our routes from tv series guide and travel everything yourself.
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But ok, we all love this picture, but why so? How did it gain such a blasting popularity?
We believe, The White Lotus quickly became a cultural phenomenon for several reasons:
— Timely Themes: Nothing like a good tea, right? That was the plot’s approach! The series tackles relevant social issues like privilege, inequality, and the dark undercurrents of seemingly idyllic settings, resonating with contemporary audiences.
— Fabulous Cast and Performances (we all know, who the main star is): The ensemble cast delivers powerful performances, particularly Jennifer Coolidge, whose portrayal of Tanya McQuoid has become iconic. I mean, she literally blended all her perfect quotes and characters into one, combining Stifler’s mother with Paulette Bonafonté from Legally Blond (2001, 2003). For this part, in total Jennifer Coolidge received 11 awards.
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— Sharp Writing and Satire: Mike White's keen observations and sharp writing blend dark humour and drama, creating compelling and thought-provoking television.
— Visual Appeal: The stunning locations and cinematography enhance the storytelling, offering a stark contrast to the underlying tensions and making the series a visual treat indeed. And please enjoy some of the cinematic sightseeing yourself with our guide for the beaches from movies.
— Critical Acclaim and Awards: The show has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Emmys for acting, directing, and writing, boosting its profile and attracting a broader audience.
In fact, to be more precise, check out this wiki page and be amazed.
Bonus Track: Fun Facts About "The White Lotus"
— Armond describes the guests as lotus eaters — a reference to Greek mythology, specifically lotophages or lotus-eaters, who tasted the fruit of a certain tree for the sake of oblivion.
— According to Jake Lacy (Shane Patton in series), due to the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus epidemic, the cast lived in the same hotel as the characters in the series and even ate at the same restaurant.
— The Hawaiian resort featured in the first season is the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.
— Mike White specifically wrote the character of Tanya McQuoid with Jennifer Coolidge in mind.
— Connie Britton's character, Nicole Mossbacher, is loosely based on a famous female executive she knows personally.
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